Ft. Wayne Atomic Sharks to join Jack Hanna at NPAC

Ukelele players Atomic Sharks will be performing in the Niswonger Performing Arts Center lobby as a pre-event to Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild show on April 5. Pictured are (front row) the Atomic Sharks Kris Hensler and Kenny Taylor, (back row) NPAC Marketing Director Tafi Stober, Brian Renner of First Federal, and Dr. Emily Hoen of the Animal Clinic of Van Wert. (Times Bulletin/Lindsay McCoy)

VAN WERT - The talented Ukelele players of Atomic Sharks, Kris Hensler and Kenny Taylor, will be performing in the Niswonger Performing Arts Center (NPAC) lobby at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, as pre-event entertainment to Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild Live show.

Ticketed guests are welcome to arrive prior to the Jack Hanna event to enjoy a free entertainment hour of these kid-friendly, Jimmy Buffet-style musical sensations. The Atomic Sharks of Fort Wayne, Indiana, will be playing all of their own music on their ukuleles which provide an upbeat, island sound. Two two musicians will also be providing a mini-workshop on how to play the small instrument to those in attendance.

The lobby concert and workshop is geared towards kids but is expected to be a fun event for people of all ages.

Sponsors of the event, Brian Renner of First Federal and Dr. Emily Hoen of the Animal Clinic of Van Wert as well as NPAC Marketing Director Tafi Stober had the opportunity to meet Hensler and Taylor at the NPAC on Friday, Jan. 17, and receive an introduction to the small, foreign instruments.

Listen to the Atomic Sharks at http://krishensler.wix.com/ on their Kala brand ukuleles. The pre-event with the Atomic Sharks has been sponsored by Dr. Tom Wilkin, DVM of the Animal Clinic of Van Wert, and First Federal of Van Wert.

Jungle Jack Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and TV commercial star, will be joined on the NPAC stage by his animal friends, including a young cheetah, wallaby, fennec fox, kangaroo, python, lynx, penguin, alligator, and many more. Tickets for this show are well on their way to being sold out but are still available.

Tickets for the Jack Hanna event featuring the Atomic Sharks are currently on sale and can be purchased by contacting the Niswonger Box Office at (419) 238-NPAC or by ordering online at www.npacvw.org.